A question regarding attached flashlights on pistols

[Rogerbutthead]

From what I recall on reading about the Tunnel Rats in Vietnam, they did not like having flashlights near their 45's as it highlighted where they were. They held the flashlight in the opposite hand as far away from their body as they could.

Besides the freeing up of the other hand for something else rather than holding a flashlight, why would you prefer to have a flashlight attached to your pistol - ?

I am thinking basically of the "investigating a burglary in progress in your own house scenario". I would not want to attract gunfire to my handgun's location.

Just curious.

[Guns and guitars]

I have one on my 1911 for around the property so I can only tell you that when I hear noise around my chicken or duck coop, or out by my goat enclosures Ive yet to have a VC soldier shoot at me while Im using it.

If it happens though Ill make sure to get the full 80s effect by using old school flashlight holding technics and watching entire seasons of Miami vice in one sitting.

[FresnoRob]

People go both ways on this. I don’t want my flashlight giving away my position, but I must know my target before I pull the trigger. We are not in a battle situation with a number of other armed buddies covering us. We are going to use it most likely alone trying to checkout a bump in the dark.
Personally I’m not one for clearing my home if I believe I have an intruder, I’m going to arm myself and hole up and wait for the Police. I understand some people must as there are children or others in the home they must also protect.
I’m not in this situation, it’s just me and the wife.
If you must clear your home and it’s dark.
You are familiar with its layout and a stranger isn’t. If your light is on and you are moving through your home an intruder will see you before you see him. You do need to light up a target before you shoot, you don’t want to shoot you family member who got up for a drink. Sorry this is so long.

[elSquid]

[cplnak1]

I have one on my 1911 for around the property so I can only tell you that when I hear noise around my chicken or duck coop, or out by my goat enclosures Ive yet to have a VC soldier shoot at me while Im using it.

If it happens though Ill make sure to get the full 80s effect by using old school flashlight holding technics and watching entire seasons of Miami vice in one sitting.

[sealocan]

^^ I agree with elSquid. Using a weapon mounted light to search your house will probably have you violating one or more of the rules of gun safety. That we all know by heart.


That might be fine in a combat environment
( like Baltimore)
or if you are very highly trained individual but not for looking around your home and backyard / neighborhood for things that go bump in the night.

So that would mean you're also carrying a handheld flashlight (or my preference of a headlamp type light that gives you both hands-free) and then only using the weapon mounted light / laser once you've confirmed that you have an actual threat.

Just my two cents.

[Lead Waster]

Look, you can have one attached to your pistol AND have on in your hand. Nobody said you had to choose one or the other. You are allowed to own more that one light in California (until Newsombdecides otherwise). Then leave the one on your gun off and use your hand held if you want and you’ll still have the option of dropping that one and relying on the gun mounted one if you wanted to. Not mutually exclusive options here.

[fal_762x51]

That's 1970s FBI doctrine.

[XDJYo]

I have a nice flashlight by my nightstand. I also have a weapon mounted light (WML) on my XD45. Wife has a light/laser on her XD9.

As mentioned above, you can use both or one or the other. Conversely, you can use the WML to search your home without violating one of the rules of gun safety. Point the gun down towards the floor (low ready position) and the spill will give you enough light. You can have your handheld on and use it to shine it if you need more lumens.

OP-I would suggest to get some low light training or do some reading/research on the Youtubes. A lot of info out there.

[hermosabeach]

What are those 4 rules?

How do you point your gun around the home without knowing what is there?

You kid making out on the sofa and you have your gun pointed at them?


Mounted lights are great
They don’t replace a hand held light too

[ojisan]

Muzzle up, the flashlight bounces the light off the ceiling.
Works good for hand-helds, too.

That said, I don't have a gun with a rail so I can't put a light on any of them.

[boopiejones]

You can search a house using a weapon mounted light without muzzle sweeping any good guys.

If you come across a bad guy, you’re giving up your position regardless of whether the light is on your gun or two feet to the side in your reaction hand. If it’s really a bad guy and you’re really fearing For your life, then at that point you should be shooting to neutralize the threat.

[L84CABO]

It really is a matter of personal preference. And just because you have a weapon mounted light, doesn't mean you can't also carry a handheld. And especially for home defense when there's a chance that that "bump in the night" might be a family member.

[FlyingShooter]

For those who are worried about the light giving away your position/being a negative....my TLR light has this thing called an on/off button that is used with a push of the index finger. Don’t want it on? Don’t push the button.

I’d rather have it there and not need it, then need it and not have it...

[Old Marine]

For those who are worried about the light giving away your position/being a negative....my TLR light has this thing called an on/off button that is used with a push of the index finger. Don’t want it on? Don’t push the button.

I’d rather have it there and not need it, then need it and not have it...

I agree with FlyingShooter but want yo add on quick item a LEO taught me.

Once you start "clearing" your home in the middle of the night, make you tap the light switch and move.


Never stop moving, really no different than any other self defense situation.

Keep moving, a stationary target is easier to hit.
And I vote for a weapon mounted light, so I can have BOTH hands on the gun.

Also, if you are going to use either type of flashlight to clear a house, get training and practice doing it.